Boylan, Rockford Lutheran vie for state bass fishing title

Teams from Rockford Boylan and Rockford Lutheran thought they would be vying for a state title this weekend (May 6-7). Because of Mother Nature, they’ll have some extra time to prepare for their championship run.

This championship takes place outdoors, but it won’t be held on any soccer field, ball diamond or even at a track and field stadium. Instead, these teams were preparing to hit the open waters of Carlyle Lake in Carlyle, Ill., in an attempt to win the Illinois High School Bass Fishing Tournament.

Last Thursday (April 28), the IHSA announced the Bass Fishing State Tournament has been postponed because of dangerous water levels at the lake and will be rescheduled for later this month, or in June.

The Carlyle area has received 10 inches of rain in the past 10 days, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the lake, anticipates it will crest 13 feet above its normal levels some time this week.

Boylan and Lutheran advanced to the state finals after qualifying last month in the sectional tournament held at Rock Cut State Park’s Pierce Lake.

Tim Hamilton coaches the Rockford Lutheran team. His anglers include juniors Adam Kellen and Will Schwanke and sophomore Adam Carlson. Brad Olson pilots their boat. They took first place in the sectional tournament, landing three fish for a total of 6.36 pounds. Carlson caught the biggest bass (3.46 pounds) of the tournament.

Boylan’s team is composed of senior Sven Casper, junior Adam Smith and two sophomores, Kyle Trent and Sean Pearse. Nick Forsell is their boat driver and Richard Lynch is their coach.

Whenever the weather does decide to cooperate, on behalf of The Rock River Times, good luck to both teams in their effort to bring back a state title to our area.